LOC10:28
07:28 GMT
WASHINGTON, April 18 (KUNA) -- Iraqi security forces and coalition partners are making progress and are performing as predicted against ISIL, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Patrick Ryder told reporters.
"As the fighting near Beiji and Ramadi this week has demonstrated, this remains a very tough fight," Ryder said. "While ISIL is largely on the defensive in Iraq, we should expect this enemy to conduct the attacks like we're seeing in Beiji and Ramadi to hold terrain, disrupt the Iraqi security forces and gain publicity."
ISIL is acronym for the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, a militia in control of large swaths of territories in Iraq and Syria.
He indicated that parts of Anbar and portions of Ramadi still remain contested, while Haditha is "firmly" under Iraqi control.
In the second area of operations, Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, the Beiji oil refinery is also contested.
"ISIL has been conducting disrupting attacks against the refinery and ... has penetrated the outer perimeter. However, the refinery remains under ISF control and we are supporting the Iraqis' efforts to repel the enemy's attack," Ryder affirmed.
In the third area of Ninawa province, coalition and Kurdish security forces continue to cut ISIL's lines of communication, he noted.
In Syria, Ain Al-Arab/Kobane the joint forces "have enabled Kurdish forces with air support and reconnaissance as they reclaim additional territory," Ryder highlighted.
"It's a hard fight," he stressed, "and from the outset we've said it's going to take some time." (end)
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